Common Ground Awards
These awards, presented at our annual ceremony, recognize community leaders, projects and events demonstrating collaboration to the overall benefit of the community. Honoring more than 250 projects since 2004, this event sells out annually with more than 400 attendees.
2019 Common Ground Awards will be November 1st, 2019
The Top 20 Project Finalists have been chosen, read the Press Release here!
We support MPA and agreed to the 2017 Common Ground Awards title sponsorship because we strongly share the belief that our business community is best served when we work together. Finding common ground isn’t always easy, it’s often though the catalyst for innovation and creative problem-solving.
In my State of the Town Address, I emphasized the importance of community partnerships in building a strong framework for our region. MPA’s Common Ground Award not only recognizes these partnerships, but raises awareness of their value and fosters ongoing collaboration within our community.
Wild Ride
MPA’s Wild Ride, one of our two signature annual events, takes hundreds of high level public and private land development professionals on a fun tour to showcase successful community development. Each year the Wild Ride Committee selects a region that exemplifies the best in successful land use and economic development and organizes a trip through the area. Participants gain valuable knowledge and hear behind the scene stories of how the projects were conceived and built. The Wild Ride includes a lunch with relevant and interesting speakers and concludes with a cocktail hour where participants mingle and enjoy each other’s company.
MPA made hosting this event easy and the participants all felt it was an excellent value and such a memorable experience. Tour participants learned of the incredible research occurring at the Bryant Bannister Laboratory of Tree Ring Research while experiencing the innovative architecture. We were able to tour the behind the scenes spaces in the Lowell-Stevens Football Facility. Can’t wait for the next one!
Monthly Membership Breakfast
The 3rd Friday of every month, MPA hosts a breakfast open to members and future members. These informative and educational breakfasts can be presentations, panel discussions, debates or forums. Topics cover relevant issues of interest to our community, as they relate to the land use and development industry. This event typically draws 80-120 attendees and is an ideal way to interact with community leaders, elected officials and colleagues.
The MPA Membership Breakfast is a member benefit. As such, non-members may only attend 1 breakfast a year. The cost to attend at the member rate is $30.00 and non-member rate is $45.00.
Breakfast Vouchers are available for Member purchase in increments of 5 at the discounted rate of $25 per voucher – interested? Contact Emilia
Metropolitan Pima Alliance has been one of the best organizations for my professional development. Membership and participation in the board and various committees have helped me form strong professional connections throughout the real estate and development community, which has, in turn, resulted in new clients, friendships, and my personal tribe of people who I can rely upon for advice, referrals, and support.
Cocktails & Connections
The fourth Thursday of the month, members and nonmembers alike are invited to a member hosted cocktail reception. This event showcases the hosts’ workspace and projects while providing attendees a fun and informal way to make new connections and catch up with old friends. Would you like to be our next Cocktails & Connections host? Contact Emilia!
MPA is a valuable resource for timely and relevant content related to real issues in the development community. We have particularly appreciated the opportunity to interact with a wide range and variety of different stakeholders. MPA events give us the opportunity to understand complex and technical issues that are important to our clients and to our community.
Relationship Opportunities
MPA’s events range in size, providing members the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of business leaders and build relationships. By attending our events, you will have the chance to meet new individuals including elected officials, municipal staff and community leaders in the real estate and land use industry.
Serving as Chairperson for the MPA Board of Directors has afforded me the opportunity to maximize mentorship opportunities through the many diverse backgrounds of each respective Board member. Those opportunities have pushed me to grow as both an individual and a business owner.
Educational Events
MPA coordinates or partners with other organizations to create forums, seminars or continuing education courses for its membership. Previous topics we have covered include P3, sustainable building, certificate of occupancy, Pima County’s Section 10 permit and more.
